American Battle Monuments Commission

Access Statement for Cambridge American Cemetery

Introduction Located in countryside on the outskirts of Cambridge (less than five miles/ 17 minutes by car).

Situated on a hillside of the Chiltern Hills, access to the site is level.

Cambridge American Cemetery is a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme.

The site is fully wheelchair accessible; one wheelchair is available to borrow - ask at the visitor center; a tour can be provided for the visually impaired when booked in advance.

Phone – 01954 210 350; email – Cambridge@abmc.gov

Pre-Arrival Rail passengers should use Cambridge Station, 6.3 miles from Cambridge American Cemetery; visit the National Rail Enqueries website for information on facilities, taxi and bus services. It is advisable to book taxis in advance to secure an accessible vehicle. Visit the Stagecoach website for information on bus services and timetables and search Coton, American Cemetery. Both Cambridge City Sightseeing Bus and No. 4 Cambridge Service Bus both stop outside the cemetery gates and have accessibility ramps.

The cemetery does not offer a collection service.

The area surrounding the cemetery and the car park is paved.

Further information about equipment hire, wheelchair repair, Shopmobility or RADAR toilets is not available.

ABMC does not provide alternative formats such as large print or audio. The ABMC website was designed using the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) Web Accessibility Initiative standards as a guide.

Car Parking and Arrival The cemetery is on a hill, but access to all parts of the site except the lower car park is level, including the buildings. Car parks are free to all:

• Main car park – 60 spaces • Blue badge parking – 3 spaces; 10-15m from entrance • Lower car park - 8 spaces; steps to site • Large overflow car park

The type of surface to the entrance from the car park is level, firm and tarmac/paved. After sunset the lit areas are the visitor center, entrance and paths to the main car park. There is a drop-off/pick-up point, with dropped curb and level entrance to the site. There are no doors, steps or obstacles on entering the cemetery.

There are doors to the visitor center, which is usually fully manned:

• The double doors have handles and open outward. • Staff are on hand to help as necessary. • Each door gives an opening of 31”/790mm. • The opening for both doors is 62”/1570mm.

Photographs of the accessible car park and walkways can be seen at the end of this document.

Main Entrance, Reception and Ticketing Area All areas are level access with the exception of the lower car park. Paths around the entrance and along the Wall of the Missing are paved with York stone. The memorial building and visitor center (which is reached by a wide, level metal ramp) have stone tiled floors. There is seating throughout the site. The visitor center is lit by halogen down-lighters.

In the entrance courtyard, set on a table (height 28.5”/725mm) there is a 3-dimensional, tactile representation (35.5”/900mm x 35.5”/900mm) of the site, all set in bronze.

All visitor services are FREE, so there is no ticket kiosk. The desk in the visitor center has no barriers, such as glass, and has a low level section. There is no induction loop. To borrow the wheelchair, or pen and paper, please inquire at the visitor center desk.

Attraction, Displays and Exhibits The site is an open-air venue. The visitor center, Wall of the Missing and memorial building are fully accessible. The paths in the burial plots and around the flagpole are gravel.

In the visitor center the exhibits are visual with written text and electronic kiosks. The introductory video has sub-titles. Cemetery tours can be requested in advance (please call 01954 210350). Alternatively, you can ask at the visitor center upon arrival. Tours are subject to staffing availability. Kiosks in the exhibition area show archive film with sound and music. There are no obstacles, doors or stairs within the 4,000 sq. ft., tile-floored, visitor center, which has ample seating and is well lit with halogen down-lights.

Public Toilets There is a toilet block at the main entrance, including a separate, unisex accessible toilet. There is a further accessible toilet in the visitor center (please ask to be shown where it is).

Entrance Accessible Toilet: • Width of entrance door is 36”/910mm. • Clear space is to the right of the toilet and is 44”/1120mm wide. • Height of toilet seat to floor is 19”/480mm. • Grab rails:

o Vertical rails either side of wash basin o Vertical rail to right of toilet o Horizontal rails on either side of toilet; one is vertical when stored and can be lowered

into position o Horizontal rail on inside of outward opening door

• Emergency, floor length pull cord sounds in administration building • Fire alarm is light and sound

Visitor Center Accessible Toilet: • Width of entrance door is 34”/860mm. • Clear space is to the right of the toilet and is 44”/1120mm wide. • Height of toilet seat to floor is 19”/480mm. • Grab rails:

o Vertical rails either side of wash basin o Vertical rail to right of toilet o Horizontal rails on either side of toilet; one is vertical when stored and can be lowered

into position o Horizontal rail on inside of outward opening door

• Emergency, floor length pull cord sounds in visitor center • Fire alarm is light and sound

Both accessible toilets are well lit with down-lights; the floors are non-slip tiles; the taps are lever.

Grounds and Gardens The site is an open-air venue. None of the grassed areas are out of bounds and all are level, although there is a turf height step up from the paths to the grass in the burial plots. Due to the sensitive nature of the site, picnicking is not permitted.

The visitor center, Wall of the Missing and memorial building are fully accessible by paved paths and a metal ramp. The paths in the burial plots and around the flagpole are gravel. The narrowest path on site is 44.5”/1130mm wide.

Staffing levels permitting, it is possible to be driven around the more distant parts of the site by golf buggy. Ask a member of staff if you need that type of assistance.

Additional Information Disability awareness training – some staff trained.

Evacuation provision – exits are signed and staff will assist.

Assistance dogs are allowed on site; ask staff for water; there are no run/toilet areas.

Signage: • Fire exit signs are international green and white; • Informational signs are either black and white, or blue and white on light grey background. • Font:

o Main message – Myriad Pro Semibold Condensed all caps, 200/244 with 8 point rule centered between the lines

o Message – 68/80 point Minion Pro Regular; • Wheelchair accessible areas are marked with a black, international accessibility sign on an

orange background – this includes car parking; • Pictograms are used.

In the entrance courtyard, set on a table (height 28.5”/725mm) there is a 3-dimensional, tactile representation (35.5”/900mm x 35.5”/900mm) of the site all set in bronze.

There is no facility to charge mobility scooters or battery powered wheelchairs on site.

There is ample hotel/B&B accommodation in and around Cambridge of all types.

Future Plans Creation of a new path to give more direct access from disabled parking to entrance area – timescale unknown.

Contact information Address: Cambridge American Cemetery, Madingley Road, Coton, Cambridge CB23 7PH

Telephone: 01954 210 350

Fax: 01954 488 025

Email: Cambridge@abmc.gov

ABMC website GPS: N52 13.020 E0 03.320

Learn about mobility equipment hire. Hours of opening: 09:00-5:00 p.m. daily; closed January 1st and December 25th

See information about taxis in the area. See information about public transportation in the area.

Photos Showing Accessibility of Cambridge American Cemetery

Disabled parking located at beginning of car park

Level entrance courtyard and accessible toilet

Ramp from entrance courtyard to lower level

Ramp to flagpole area

Photos Showing Accessibility of Cambridge American Cemetery

Level pathways from flagpole to burial plots

Ramp between flagpole area and Wall of the Missing

Ramp from Wall of the Missing to memorial building

Ramp to memorial building entrance.